Welcome to Les Nomades
Les Nomades, located at 222 E Ontario St, Chicago, is a quintessential French dining experience that exudes elegance and sophistication. Celebrated for its exquisite prix fixe menu, this restaurant highlights exceptional craftsmanship with dishes like the delicate foie gras, succulent seared scallops, and rich Wagyu short rib. Each plate promises harmony of flavors, expertly crafted sauces, and thoughtful presentations, ensuring a memorable culinary journey. The ambiance, characterized by its subdued lighting and attentive service, invites guests to indulge in leisurely dining. With a focus on classic haute cuisine, Les Nomades is a true gem for those seeking both flavor and elegance in Chicago's vibrant food scene.
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222 E Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60611, United States Hotline: +1 312-649-9010
Welcome to Les Nomades, a culinary sanctuary nestled in the heart of Chicago. Located at 222 E Ontario St, this esteemed restaurant offers a refined French dining experience that transports you to a realm of elegance and indulgence. With a commitment to exceptional flavors and impeccable service, Les Nomades is not just a place to eat; it's a destination for gastronomic exploration.
Guests are consistently captivated by the rich tapestry of flavors crafted by the talented kitchen. As Martin Wong eloquently notes, the presentation is unparalleled, with dishes that evoke strong, unforgettable flavors while remaining perfectly balanced – never oversalted. Each plate is an invitation to savor the moment, a sentiment echoed by many who have traversed this culinary journey.
Les Nomades is renowned for its prix fixe menu, a carefully curated selection that promises a symphony of taste across multiple courses. Diners can indulge in exquisite options such as the seared scallops paired with tempura shrimp, finely balanced with a refreshing lemongrass lobster sauce. D.Vetrano captures the essence of the dining experience, highlighting the grace and elegance with which every dish is prepared, from the succulent Wagyu short rib to the perfectly cooked sea bass.
The ambiance envelops guests with its understated elegance, adorned with white tablecloths and a wood-burning fireplace that sets the tone for a memorable evening. Bob Baker reflects on this enchanting environment, noting that the staff's attentiveness, paired with their warm hospitality, ensures an experience that is both elite and welcoming. The jacket-required policy adds an air of sophistication, inviting you to engage in a dining tradition that feels truly special.
As you explore the menu, you’ll find delights such as the braised Peking duck breast with a fragrant mandarin glaze, perfectly complementing its richness, or indulge in the Grand Marnier soufflé that Dea Welsh describes as a “delicate cloud of loveliness.” Each dish showcases not only the chef’s mastery of classic French techniques but also an inventive spirit that celebrates quality ingredients. The meticulous attention to detail in every aspect of service and cuisine makes Les Nomades a beacon of classic haute cuisine in today's ever-evolving culinary landscape.
In a world where the dining experience often focuses on trends, this charming establishment remains a steadfast ode to the art of traditional French cooking. For those seeking a culinary adventure that marries elegance with exceptional flavor, Les Nomades stands out as an indispensable dining locale in Chicago. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in a night out, this restaurant promises an unforgettable experience that lingers long after the last bite. Don’t just take my word for it; visit and discover why this gem is at the top of so many diners’ lists.
This restaurant is a must-visit and an absolute gem. The presentation is top notch, flavors are strong, unforgettable, and definitely not oversalted. The ambience is an excellent escape from the hustle and bustle of every day.
Les Nomades in Chicago provided an exceptional backdrop for an evening with the Chicago Dinner Club, featuring Daniel Drews, Nicole Ruiz, and myself. The event commenced with a delightful cocktail named JT, blending orange juice, Cointreau, Campari, and champagne—a refreshing start to our culinary journey. The first course presented a duo of seared scallops and tempura shrimp, elegantly paired with sauce gribiche and a smooth Kabocha squash puree, enhanced by a lemongrass lobster sauce. The dish was a harmonious meld of textures and flavors. Next, we savored a fricassee of escargots, where the earthiness of braised leek and celery root met the robustness of a red wine garlic sauce, crafting a bold yet refined taste profile. The warmth of the lobster, served with greens and a tangy mango dressing, continued the seafood theme, the lobster sauce cordon adding a luxurious touch to the fresh, vibrant ingredients. A sauteed Dover sole followed, lying atop a warm fingerling potato salad, the saffron sauce providing a subtle but distinct flavor that elevated the dish to new heights. The Mediterranean Sea bass, simply sauteed, allowed the natural flavors of the fish to shine through, demonstrating the kitchen’s confidence in letting quality ingredients speak for themselves. The braised Wagyu short-rib was a highlight, its richness perfectly counterbalanced by a creamy pommes puree and a classic red wine sauce, demonstrating the chef’s deft hand at traditional comforts. Roasted Peking duck breast came next, served with lentils and a sauce Rouennaise, the mandarin glaze adding a sweet citrus note that cut through the richness of the duck beautifully. To conclude, a mocha souffle with chocolate sauce, and Creme brulee served alongside my signature cappuccino, a decadent ending to a memorable meal. The night at Les Nomades stood out not just for its extraordinary food but also for its flawless service, making it a splendid evening of gastronomy and camaraderie.
What a classic restaurant should be..perfectly prepared food served with grace and elegance. Wonderful wines by the glass so that a party of two can do a progressive wine pairing. Sauces and flavors are balanced with depth. With the current dining focus on molecular gastronomy or elevated street food it is a breathe of fresh air to enjoy a classic haute menu deftly executed with ambience.
We had dinner at this charming place where the hospitality truly exceeded our expectations. My husband forgot his jacket, but as soon as we arrived, they kindly offered him one to fit the surrounded atmosphere. The ambiance was delightful, the service was top-notch, and the food was of exceptional quality with flavors that were simply amazing. In an effort to respect the other guests, we made a conscious decision to refrain from taking pictures of our dishes and instead savored every bite. The beef tenderloin, duck confit, and salmon were all cooked to perfection, and the lobster mango salad and the souffle were absolutely delicious. It's safe to say that this restaurant has secured a spot at the top of my list of favorite dining spots in Chicago. I highly recommend giving this place a try if you're ever in the area. The overall experience was truly delightful, and I'm already looking forward to our next visit.
Amazing food. Their first course section is always incredible. I almost wish I could just eat those for the entire meal. Beautiful dishes. Great flavors. Excellent service. I've never had a bad experience there. I never understood the hype about souffles, until theirs. Had the grand Marnier souffle. It was incredible. Light, fluffy, a delicate cloud of grand Marnier loveliness. Also, if you like foie gras (how could you not), get whatever dish they create around it. It is always incredible. The current item, in banana water of all things, is incredible. Crispy! and sweet. Unique goodness. Love, love, love this place.
My wife and I visited Les Nomades for the first time this past Saturday evening and it was spectacular. This is an old school French restaurant from top to bottom. Excellent food, excellent wine list, impeccable service — attentive but not cloying — subdued light, white tablecloths, wood burning fireplace. The place exudes understated elegance you just won’t find anywhere else. Jacket required, it just fits the mood of this wonderful place, but they aren’t stuffy at all. A genuinely nice staff dedicated to making your visit a memorable one. To top it off, I inadvertently left behind my credit card and the staff mailed it back to me along with a card, hand-penned in calligraphy, thanking us for coming and wishing my wife and I a happy new year. Even something as mundane as forgetting your credit card affords an opportunity for style and grace at Les Nomades. This place is at the top of the list of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. If you’ve not been there by all means go. One of the most memorable dining experiences you can have.
At this spot, time stands still and so does your posture because you’re trying to behave like someone who knows what a fish fork is. This old-school French haven is prix fixe fancy with a capital F. Think whisper while you chew fancy. I got the soft-shell crab and scallop and lobster salad, which felt like it studied abroad in Provence, and the loup de mer (aka sea bass), which was basically a perfectly cooked poem. What a culinary curtsy. Tres special, tres old, tres worth it.
A quiet spot for some very fine cuisine Francaise. Everything is prix fixed (fixed price) so you pay for four or five courses and then select which option you want for each course. Our favorites were the foie gras, scallop and shrimp duo, warm lobster salad, and wagyu short rib. The price point is high but the quality is good.